Exclusive:I played 493 games for Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday - This is how Harry Gray will do at Hillsborough
The Leeds United prospect’s loan move to Sheffield Wednesday was confirmed this week.
Leeds United youngster Harry Gray will be ‘loved’ by Sheffield Wednesday fans according to a former Elland Road and Hillsborough favourite.
Gray’s season-long loan to Wednesday was confirmed earlier this week, with the 17-year-old dropping into League One for the second time in quick succession. A six-month spell at Rotherham brought three goals in 20 appearances albeit the Millers were eventually relegated.
While Wednesday represents a move to the same division, it’s certainly a step up with the Owls expected to be fighting for an instant return to the Championship. Mel Sterland made 347 appearances across 11 years for the South Yorkshire side before becoming a First Division title winner with Leeds - and he expects Gray to thrive at Hillsborough.
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“Seriously, the kid can play,” Sterland told the YEP via William Hill who have the latest England World Cup 2026 Odds. “He's a good footballer. He can play up front, he can drop into midfield. He's got that bit of nastiness in him, you know, he doesn’t mind putting his foot in, and he's 17 years old.
“You look at the DNA from that family, from Eddie Gray and everybody else, it's just amazing. He'll do well at Hillsborough and the fans will love him because he puts himself about and he can score goals. It will be amazing for the kid, and he can play 100 per cent.”
A season-long loan is hoped to benefit all parties, with Wednesday getting a promising young goalscorer while Gray can enjoy more regular football than he would have done at Leeds. The teenager will also have a host of more experienced new teammates to lean on - plus a more familiar face.
“Liam Cooper will know him from playing at Leeds,” Sterland said. “I didn't think they were going to sign Liam, but he's a great leader and they’ve got Barry Bannan back as well. Great players, experienced players, and at that level that's what you need. Both of those players will fetch the best out of Harry.”
One thing Gray won’t be short of is confidence, and the young striker showed he can make an instant impact at League One-level when joining Rotherham. He scored twice in his opening four appearances even for a team badly lacking creativity, adding a third in April with all three goalscoring games ending with wins.
Asked how Gray might endear himself to Wednesday fans early on, Sterland’s answer was simple: “Well, I think by scoring early on, scoring on his debut would be fine, wouldn't it? He scores goals, you know, he gets into some great positions and he's not afraid to have a shot wherever he is. For a 17-year-old kid, he's got plenty of potential, and I think for Sheffield Wednesday, he'll be superb.”